My Morning In Court - A

"I'm sorry, Aaron's not available right now, he's got court this morning."
(I've just finished my first week at law school and have already had a court appearance - and no, there wasn't a traffic ticket involved this time! How awesome is that?)

Consider yourselves spoiled - I was going to spend this afternoon reading and taking notes, but this morning was adequately nifty to deserve an immediate description.

Thanks to an ongoing relationship between Dal Law and the Halifax court system, my Public Law prof was able to arrange the attendance of interested students at the appeal of a criminal case. About 10 of us showed up and after going through security got to watch a real case in action. Aside from the students and professor, there was a sheriff, 3 family members of the apellant, 1 judicial clerk, 1 court reporter, the opposing lawyers, (1 each) and 3 justices (what judges are called when sitting at the Supreme or Apellate Courts).

So the lawyer for the apellant (the person bringing the appeal, in this case a criminal defendant) spoke first, raising her 4 points of objection/appeal to the original sentence, while fielding questions from the justices as they came up. Then the Crown lawyer (in this case the respondent) gave his thoughts, with fewer questions to answer, then the justices announced that they were reserving their decision (to be issued later in writing) and left. Yes, we had to do the "all rise" thing (as announced by the court reporter) and there was a high level of formality - the lawyers (also called "counsel") followed court protocol, calling each other "my friend" and the justices "my lord/lady" (only provincial court judges are called "your honour") - but at the same time it was efficiently relaxed. The Crown interrupted the apellant to provide some dates she was looking for (with the Court's permission), and one of the justices appeared to have his feet up for part of the proceedings. Thanks in large part to both sides providing the main arguments in written "factums" weeks in advance, it was just oral arguments and Q&A in the hearing and they were in and out in about 45 minutes. Apparently, some are shorter, but some have gone on up to about 2 days (with recesses, of course)!

After all that formality, though, the treat was the justices came back into the courtroom when the other parties had left and gave us another 40 minutes or so, sharing thoughts and answering our questions. They explained some procedures, how they get cases, who hears them, and when, and talked about how restricted a Court of Appeal justice is in exercising discretion - it all comes down to points of law. There's very rarely any additional evidence produced, since all evidence and testimony happens in the lower courts, so it's just addressing points of law and procedure.

I didn't bring a camera, as it seems they frown on that sort of thing. It was an almost cube-shaped courtoom, with a very high white ceiling and dark brown wood paneled walls. Everyone gets a comfy wheely chair except for the public gallery, where wooden benches are provided behind a metal bar separating public from lawyer space. This room was carpeted in a soft white, and had seating for 12 lawyers and space for 5 justices, although only 3 were on the panel for this case. The court reporter sits right in front of the panel, and has some computer with speech recognition (probably) that I couldn't get a look at. There's gooseneck microphones all over the place so that every word gets recorded, but not put through speakers. The walls had portraits of past chief justices on them, and behind the centre of the panel was a Royal Coat of Arms on the wall. The clerk, lawyers, and justices all wore their black robes, and the lawyers and justices also all had white tabs on their collars - no wigs, fur, or crimson anywhere in this courtroom (see https://peacock.rainyday.mb.ca/peacock/gaspard/images/robepackage-TN.jpg for basic robes and tabs).

So, that's how I spent my first Friday off from class - on a field trip! Future Fridays will include trips to the Provincial Court building on Spring Garden Rd, and perhaps to the Supreme Court as well, and I'll likely try get a tour in of Province House (the provincial legislature building) one of these weeks as well - just for personal interest's sake, not necessarily for any class, although I'm told our Criminal law class will attend court as well one day.

Maybe I've been drinking the cool-aid a bit but this really is seeming more and more like an ideal fit for me - lack of knowledge aside, I could easily see myself in action one day like what I saw today. We'll see how long it takes for the bloom to come off this rose, but so far the reading's quite manageable. Again, my deepest thanks to everyone who facilitated my entry into law school, and to those supporting me through it.

I suppose this is long enough - and that Crim reading is in no danger of doing itself, so I'd best get back to work. Till next time,

A.

PS - certain people may wonder if I remembered to dress appropriately for court. I did, thanks for asking, and no, I did not stick out like a sore thumb. After all, it just wouldn't do for some keener 1L (who asked almost as many questions as the prof) to make that big a fool of himself. A suit would have been overkill, and ties were not required either, so yay me!

Expectations - A

Thanks to hard work, discipline, and a little bit of speed-reading, I've got some spare time tonight. I'm still honing my study habits for this new world, but seem to be faring better than some of my classmates - some are losing sleep keeping up with their readings. There but for the grace of God, and my clean living..or something, go I.

So, as the title suggests, I'm going to briefly look over some expectations and the attendant realities in a couple areas. As far as Halifax in 5 Senses goes, there's not much to report. Touch finds ambient temperatures generally staying in the teens (celsius of course!), hearing notes a lot of lecturing, sight has yet to find trees changing colours, smell as usual is on extended leave, and taste is becoming intimately familiar with the fruits of something called "leftovers." Not to say that my culinary variety is lacking, but with only one mouth to feed, leftovers tend to go further. This is good in that lunches have so far been sandwich-free, but does somewhat cut down on variety. I'll manage! (And happily, considering how much less my grocery bills tend to be!)

To expectations (E) and realities (R), then:

E: Halifax will be a liveable city
R: Halifax is an awesomely liveable city (pending winter) - I can walk to almost everything I need, or if need be, can bus.

E: law school will be a challenge
R: law school is a refreshing change of pace, and a fulfilling challenge! I know I haven't hit the thick of the workload yet, but it's quite seriously enjoyable in many ways.

E: Dalhousie is a good school
R: Dal is actually an innovator of legal education and practise, very much encouraging and facilitating student work experience in the community, with volunteer and legal aid work. Much more than lip service is given to the notion of "giving back." Remind me, how did I get into such a stellar school?

E: Legal aid lawyers get paid a pittance
R: Compared to their private colleagues, even less than that. But it's still more than I've ever made! Also, they tend to have many work opportunities.

E: I'd miss B.C. and Vancouver (especially the rain and mountains) quite terribly
R: It is strange having transient rain activity, but all in all, Halifax isn't so vastly different. Now, ask me how fun it'll be following the Canucks or the Olympics when pacific-time games start at 11pm here...

E: I'd be almost incapacitated by the absence of family and friends
R: Video chat on Skype has enabled a very healthy amount of keeping in touch, and I've actually started making friends here for when my homies are unavailable. I'm quite blessed to have this level of support in two places.

E: Halifaxians (for some reason called Haligonians) wouldn't be as nifty as Vancouverites
R: If possible, they're even more laid back and generally healthier! It seems everyone's got a sport activity or marathon they're training for, and while the downtown area here's not as bike-friendly as parts of Vancouver are, there's all sorts of rollerblading and cycling options around and people seem determined to use them while they can. That said, there's some obese people and a good number of smokers, but at least the smokers are kept outside and away from doorways - just like home!

Now, this isn't to say all is perfect here. Dishes and cleaning get done when they can, and certain people's standards may be offended by what gets let go for an extra day or three. I'm not able to watch TV or movies most of the time now, and reading for fun tends to involve comics while I eat (if I'm not checking facebook or email). It's hard to miss having a life when I never really had much of one, I guess. And physical activity's not as varied or intense as I'd hoped it would be, although lugging 23 lbs of books almost 2km each Monday and Wednesday does add up I'm sure. Maybe I'll take up some intramurals during the semester, but it'll be very tentative - but I hear dodgeball (quit laughing!) is a good workout and not too time or money-intensive. And no, I'm not losing weight, but I'm not gaining it either. Maybe in December...

I'll have completed another solar orbit this October long weekend, and in addition to my private plans, am considering perhaps opening the place up to a select number of classmates for an Orphan's Thanksgiving of sorts. I'm not sure how people's schedules or plans will affect this, and I certainly won't be able to go all out or be too fancy, but it'd be a shame not to share some kind of blessing while I'm able to. With any luck I'll be able to make the place adequately presentable so as not to malign certain female influences in my housekeeping abilities...

All this being said, my free time is passing and I've got a sink full of dishes to consider. Until next time...keep your stick on the ice!

A.

Places Everybody! - A

All right everybody, we only get one shot at this and we have to get it right the first time. No you can't go on break now, we go live in 4 days and counting! Let's get a final systems check and inventory, shall we? I want a simple "go/no-go" when I call your name!

Textbooks? Go!
School supplies? Go!
Computer & Communications? Go!
Clothing & Shoes? Go!
Menu & Groceries? Go, but will need selected resupply on Monday.
Apartment systems functional? Go!
Unpacking? Go!
Time zone calibration? Projected to be Go by Monday.

Thank you people, I see all systems are go. Bring up the to-do checklist and prioritise, please.

Move empty boxes & bins into storage: low priority, pending completion of bike storage.
Explore rooftop patio: low priority, pending safety clearance and landlord approval.
Menu planning: ongoing, medium priority.
School readings: ongoing, variable priorities, welcome to the rest of your life.
Laundry, cleaning, upkeep: ongoing, variable priorities - set priority = "high" when month = "December." Noted.
Pre-Orientation social events: medium priority, as announced. Set aside additional memory for "names and faces," please.

Important events to prepare for upon going live?

Orientation first morning: Tuesday Sept 8 0830 - set alarm early!
Orientation first class: Thursday Sept 10 0900 - find room.
Orientation Semi-Formal Ball: Saturday Sept 12, 1900 - seek wardrobe advisories.
First standard day of class: Monday Sept 14, 0830. Be awake, properly attired, and in the right room.

Very well people, continue with final preparations. Remember, we go live as a law student in under a week - stay sharp. Please schedule all problems and conflicts for sooner rather than later - yes, that means you. Ok, any questions? This is it, people! Places everybody! Final countdown has begun - in 4! 3! 2!

PS - any special soundtrack ideas to get prepped/psyched for this once-in-a-lifetime event?